Who are the NBA's top 10 players? This season I must have heard at least 20 stars being mentioned routinely as "top 10" players in the league. It's an unofficial, unregulated and unwieldy list that everyone refers to and nobody seems to enumerate. Until today, that is.
The criteria for this list differs from other postseason awards. The MVP refers to the player who had the greatest impact on his team this season, and the All-NBA teams reward the top performances by position.
This top 10 list takes a broader view. Who are the most important players today, taking into account not just their performances this season but their abilities to dominate in a variety of ways? Consider this a comprehensive ranking of the best players in the NBA that goes beyond the narrow criteria of the annual awards.
10. Shaquille O'Neal, Heat

His doubters grow bolder in their criticisms as Shaq grows older, and even though he's approaching career lows in all categories this season -- 20.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 30.7 minutes -- the numbers are still impressive, and his advancing age (34) is still trumped by his size (7-foot-1, 300-plus pounds) and skills. If he can stay healthy and his teammates can be marshaled around him (by far the bigger if), O'Neal remains capable of driving Miami to a championship.
9. Paul Pierce, Celtics

No elite player showed more improvement than Pierce, the only player to lead his team in points (a career-high 26.8), rebounds (6.7), assists (4.8) and steals (1.4). He is shooting a career-best 47.3 percent in spite of playing with the weakest supporting cast of his career. The question now is whether the Celtics can throttle up their long-term rebuilding program to build a winner around 28-year-old Pierce while he's at his peak.
8. Dwyane Wade, Heat

Wade and Allen Iverson are the only players to rank in the top 10 in scoring (27.5 ppg in Wade's case), assists (6.8) and steals (1.9); the difference is that Wade's efforts have a positive impact on winning games while Iverson often seems to drain more energy from his team than he contributes. Wade should move into the top five of this list as Shaq ages and Wade further asserts himself as Miami's leader.
7. Steve Nash, Suns

The reigning MVP is the NBA's version of Doug Flutie: He dominates against bigger, stronger opponents by forcing them to surrender to his tempo. For those of us who rate team play ahead of one-on-one virtuosity, Nash is the most entertaining player in the league. No point guard is more effective at running an offense and creating mismatches than Nash, who adapted to the loss of Amaré Stoudemire by scoring more points (a career-high 19.1) while remaining the league leader in assists (10.5).

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Surrounded by the first promising team of his seven-year career, Brand responded with a career-best 24.8 points per game to go with his typical 10.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. He's always scored in a variety of ways -- in transition, in the post or facing up -- but this year Brand proved that his numbers could drive a winning team.
5. Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves

This was a rough year for his team, yet Garnett retained his annual lead in the NBA's efficiency rating with a routine 21.8 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Instead of being criticized for failing to drag this deeply flawed roster into the playoffs, he should be lauded for maintaining his impeccable standards in a hopeless environment: Selfish play isn't part of his repertoire.
4. LeBron James, Cavaliers

He'll join Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West as the only players to average at least 30 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for a season. James will be the No. 1 player when he spreads his talent to the defensive end of the floor, but let's not be greedy -- these are amazing accomplishments for someone who should be finishing his junior year of college.
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks

Team leader Michael Finley left last summer, a year after the departure of league MVP Steve Nash, yet in their absence Nowitzki has elevated his scoring (26.6 ppg) and shooting (48.2 percent) to career highs while transforming the Mavericks into an elite team. He's on the verge of becoming Dallas' modern-day Larry Bird, the clutch big man who wins games in the most unorthodox ways.
2. Kobe Bryant, Lakers

The world's most talented player leads the NBA with 35.1 ppg, including a league-best 9.4 points in the fourth quarter. Nobody is more spectacular, whether dribbling through traffic or beating the buzzer from the three-point line. The question is whether a perimeter star such as Bryant can lead the league in scoring while leading his team to a championship level. Jordan is the only player to fulfill that paradox, but this season Bryant looked like he was embarking on the same high road as he single-handedly forced a lottery team into the playoffs.

1. Tim Duncan, Spurs

A foot injury scaled back his numbers, but they're still impressive enough (18.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 3.2 assists). Even more imposing than his individual stats is Duncan's impact on the league's most consistent program at both ends of the court. The team-first hierarchy that may bring a fourth championship to San Antonio works in all ways -- on the court and in the locker room -- because of him.

Kstat

04-15-2006, 01:29 PM

If he's going by this seson, then TIm Duncan at #1 is a complete joke.

Mourning

04-15-2006, 01:32 PM

If he's going by this seson, then TIm Duncan at #1 is a complete joke.

Excuse me, don't want to rain on your parade, but no way that R.I.P. is a top-10 player. He's good, but not THAT good and while I like Billups I would certainly list him in my top-5, but also certainly not at the first spot.

Ah, what the hell... might aswell give my own top-10 so you can burn me too :D :D :D

Excuse me, don't want to rain on your parade, but no way that R.I.P. is a top-10 player. He's good, but not THAT good and while I like Billups I would certainly list him in my top-5, but also certainly not at the first spot.

Ah, what the hell... might aswell give my own top-10 so you can burn me too :D :D :D

I just based my top 10 on this season and Rip has had a great season. Hes come up for them at crucial times like Billups and has improved his scoring alot.

IMO Garnett is not a top 10 player this year. I dont care for his stats. There is no excuse for him not being able to bring his team to the playoffs. If Chris Paul pushed NO so close to the playoffs KG should be able to do that at Minny.

That top 10 was solely based on this years performances. If it was my top 10 players in the NBA (that are still playing now) my top 10 would be:

Again, like someone said earlier... If those rankings are based on this year, Duncan at number one is a joke. Even if Duncan was healthy all year, it's still debateable in my opinion. I have to agree with most of the players on the list, but I don't necessarily agree with their placement.

Shade

04-15-2006, 05:22 PM

Based on this season, Kobe should probably be #1. Hard to top an 81-point game...unless you're Wilt. ;)

Shade

04-15-2006, 05:24 PM

Arenas must not have a good PR guy.

Nah...it's just that Michael Jordan wouldn't be a Top 10 player in today's NBA. :rolleyes:

Where's Chris Paul? :rollout:

Swingman

04-16-2006, 12:45 AM

I just based my top 10 on this season and Rip has had a great season. Hes come up for them at crucial times like Billups and has improved his scoring alot.

IMO Garnett is not a top 10 player this year. I dont care for his stats. There is no excuse for him not being able to bring his team to the playoffs. If Chris Paul pushed NO so close to the playoffs KG should be able to do that at Minny.

That top 10 was solely based on this years performances. If it was my top 10 players in the NBA (that are still playing now) my top 10 would be:

If we are going by just this year then no way Rip gets in the top 10 or top 20 IMO. I don't watch him play but going by his stats, he's just not consistent enough and doesn't fill up the stat sheet at all outside the scoring column.

Based on this season, Kobe should probably be #1. Hard to top an 81-point game...unless you're Wilt. ;)
#1 Kobe MVP
#2 Lebron
#3 Nash
All other guys mentioned are great, but they all play on balanced teams. That would be my voting.

Roy Munson

04-16-2006, 12:42 PM

(6) JO

Ha ha!! good one. Nice to insert a little humor into this thread.

Diamond Dave

04-16-2006, 04:18 PM

Ha ha!! good one. Nice to insert a little humor into this thread.

But he gets paid like a top 10 player, so that counts for something doesn't it?

:rolleyes: :blush:

8.9_seconds

04-16-2006, 11:18 PM

But he gets paid like a top 10 player, so that counts for something doesn't it?

:rolleyes: :blush:

Haha, diamond Dave, I may not agree with your avy, but it made me laugh out loud.:laugh:

denyfizle

04-17-2006, 02:16 PM

I still can't believe none of you guys ranked Artest in the top 10

Tony Valente

04-17-2006, 05:26 PM

My Top One:

1. Jasoooon Richardson

Slick Pinkham

04-17-2006, 05:35 PM

I still can't believe none of you guys ranked Artest in the top 10

In your top 10 you have Ron above Melo, Pierce, Chauncey, AI, & KG.

You ask 100 NBA fans if Ron Artest is better than Melo, Pierce, Chauncey, AI, & KG and you would get 98 people laughing at you. Seriously. Ron is good but that is a stretch.

Most people put SOME weight on the ability of the player to respond to pressure and deliver when his team really needs it.

Ron has to prove that. Granted, so do KG, Melo, and Pierce.

But we have some history with the case of Ron, abandoning his teammates when they need him.

denyfizle

04-17-2006, 05:44 PM

In your top 10 you have Ron above Melo, Pierce, Chauncey, AI, & KG.

You ask 100 NBA fans if Ron Artest is better than Melo, Pierce, Chauncey, AI, & KG and you would get 98 people laughing at you. Seriously. Ron is good but that is a stretch.

Most people put SOME weight on the ability of the player to respond to pressure and deliver when his team really needs it.

Ron has to prove that. Granted, so do KG, Melo, and Pierce.

But we have some history with the case of Ron, abandoning his teammates when they need him.

lol a stretch? trust me if 98 out of 100 would laugh at me, that's just because their probably on some good purple. KG's team is not in the playoffs. Pierce's team is not in the playoffs. Melo on the other hand is someone I could put in the top 10 too. but putting Artest in the top 10 is no stretch. if we all thought he was top 10 back when he played for us, I can't see a reason why he should get demoted when he singlehandedly carried the Kings back into the playoffs. Ron is the best 2 way player in the game by a MIIIIIIIIIIILE!!! a stretch???? me and the other 2 feel sorry for you. ;)

I don't know what "good purple" is, but I assure you that most of the league thought Larry was smoking something when he called Ron a top 10 player.

When you put all sorts of qualifications on it, like "two-way players" and "players with mental issues" then Ron gets in the top 10 mix.

Show me some 1st/2nd team all-NBA selections for Ron.

SycamoreKen

04-17-2006, 07:19 PM

It's hard to put someone in the top 10 after he destroyed one team's season and barely raised his new team beyond mediocre. They are gone from the playoffs after 5 games at most.

denyfizle

04-17-2006, 11:45 PM

I don't know what "good purple" is, but I assure you that most of the league thought Larry was smoking something when he called Ron a top 10 player.

When you put all sorts of qualifications on it, like "two-way players" and "players with mental issues" then Ron gets in the top 10 mix.

Show me some 1st/2nd team all-NBA selections for Ron.

dissing Larry Bird? well if I was to pick sides between many people and Larry Bird, I'll go with The Legend any day.

everybody says defense wins championships,
and you think it's a streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch to rank the best one-on-one defender in the game in the top 10???? oh did i mention he has a complete offensive game too??? or that he turned a Kings team into a playoff team. the same Kings team that had 8 teams ahead of them that did not make the playoffs at the time he was acquired. he's not a TOP 10 player??? dude, I can accept that you don't share my opinion, but i can't accept that it's such an idiotic opinion to think Artest is a top 10 player.

Slick Pinkham

04-18-2006, 09:47 AM

dissing Larry Bird?

Nobody's dissing Larry Bird (except Jay). ;)

Everyone around the league was no doubt rolling their eyes as Larry did his job the best that he could, keeping a straight face and calling Ron a top 10 player.

It's his job to elevate the value of his assets, and he did that well. Not many actually believed what he was saying, but you did, apparently.

Mordecaii

04-18-2006, 10:35 AM

Well, one could certainly say that Artest plays well on both ends of the floor. However, I can't put him in the top ten for the following reasons:

1. He is not a leader
2. He is not clutch
3. You never know when he'll do something disruptive

I'd definately rate him in the top 20, but I don't think he's quite good enough to make the top 10.

Based on this season, Duncan is not better than any of my top 5. Duncan has the benefit of playing with two other All-Stars in Parker and Ginobilli, has a great coach, and bench. He hasn't played that well this year.

Iverson, although I'm a fan, really doesn't make his teammates better. There's no way they shouldn't be in the playoffs.

Everyone is sleeping on Carmelo Anthony. He's had an outstanding season and has the numbers to match.

Chauncey

04-18-2006, 10:56 AM

To back up Naptown....think about this..if it weren't for the abnormal 3 players over 30 ppg, Anthony would be right in the mix for the scoring title. Not many thought he'd be at that level so soon.

vapacersfan

04-18-2006, 10:59 AM

Nobody's dissing Larry Bird (except Jay). ;)

Everyone around the league was no doubt rolling their eyes as Larry did his job the best that he could, keeping a straight face and calling Ron a top 10 player.

It's his job to elevate the value of his assets, and he did that well. Not many actually believed what he was saying, but you did, apparently.

I think we also have to take into account Larry calling one of our guards top 10 a few months ago at the season ticket holder Q and A session. I dont remember who he was speaking of, but I remember I did a double take when I read that.

Well, one could certainly say that Artest plays well on both ends of the floor. However, I can't put him in the top ten for the following reasons:

1. He is not a leader
2. He is not clutch
3. You never know when he'll do something disruptive

I'd definately rate him in the top 20, but I don't think he's quite good enough to make the top 10.

I agree with all but number 2. He has shown to be clutch, as long as it is not a pressure filled game in the NBA playoffs.

denyfizle

04-18-2006, 07:57 PM

Nobody's dissing Larry Bird (except Jay). ;)

Everyone around the league was no doubt rolling their eyes as Larry did his job the best that he could, keeping a straight face and calling Ron a top 10 player.

It's his job to elevate the value of his assets, and he did that well. Not many actually believed what he was saying, but you did, apparently.

nah, I always liked Artest's game. Even before he moved to Indy. I'm a basketball fan first, Pacer fan second. So with or without Larry's sales talk about Artest, I've always regarded him- talentwise- (after his DMVP year) in the top 10 of the league. As they say, defense wins championships. The best defensive player in the league with a complete O game isn't worth top ten consideration? Just look at how he's changed the Kings. With him people said we were a legit contender; Without him, we're not even a favorite to get past the 1st RD of the playoffs. I'm talking about talent. You can hate all you want about Artest's extra curricular stuff, but I'm basing this solely on the Artest that I watch on the court and that's suited up a purple 93. *nufsed*

vapacersfan

04-18-2006, 08:10 PM

nah, I always liked Artest's game. Even before he moved to Indy. I'm a basketball fan first, Pacer fan second. So with or without Larry's sales talk about Artest, I've always regarded him- talentwise- (after his DMVP year) in the top 10 of the league. As they say, defense wins championships. The best defensive player in the league with a complete O game isn't worth top ten consideration? Just look at how he's changed the Kings. With him people said we were a legit contender; Without him, we're not even a favorite to get past the 1st RD of the playoffs. I'm talking about talent. You can hate all you want about Artest's extra curricular stuff, but I'm basing this solely on the Artest that I watch on the court and that's suited up a purple 93. *nufsed*

Unfortunately for Artest, a lot more then talent goes into a NBA game, and winning in the playoffs.

denyfizle

04-18-2006, 08:17 PM

Unfortunately for Artest, a lot more then talent goes into a NBA game, and winning in the playoffs.

Brand is in the playoffs for the first time. Pierce, KG, Kirilenko and AI aren't. Artest took a Kings team to the playoffs. The same Kings team that was at that time behind 8 West teams in the standings that didn't make the playoffs.

McKeyFan

04-18-2006, 08:18 PM

I need a drink.

Second time I've read that.

Get a d@mn drink.

vapacersfan

04-18-2006, 08:32 PM

Brand is in the playoffs for the first time. Pierce, KG, Kirilenko and AI aren't. Artest took a Kings team to the playoffs. The same Kings team that was at that time behind 8 West teams in the standings that didn't make the playoffs.

Ok, so he did good in the regular season. Like I said, he is great untill there is pressure.